University of Virginia Library

Buildings In Valley
Reveal The Past

By MARILYN OGBURN

In a report made by the Virginia
Historic Landmarks Commission,
which has been presented to the
Governor of Virginia, the Green
Springs area of Louisa County
"harbors an assemblage of rural
architecture that is unique in
Virginia."

The buildings, representing a
century and a half of architectural
development, date from the
mid-1700's to 1860, and 23 of
them are recorded in the archives of
the Library of Congress.

The report adds, that the
structures are "outstanding
examples of architecture preserved
in their original context," and the
Green Springs area is a gently
civilized countryside where the land
has been enhanced rather than
despoiled by the presence of
man..."

"Green Springs," the home of
Richard Morris, who was a friend of
Patrick Henry and Commissary for
Virginia during the Revolution, was
built in the 18th century and looks
down on the proposed prison site.

A large, completely
independent plantation complex,
"Prospect Hill," was built in the
19th century, but incorporated
what remains of an earlier 18th
century home.

As new additions were made to
the house, each one was built in the
particular style of its time.
Surrounding the house are six
outbuildings, including an office
which was later used as a school
house.

The Watson family, which built
many of the buildings in the area,
originated at Ionia, a well-preserved
story-and-a-half plantation house.
Worth noting is the fine
hand-grained woodwork, found in
its original "hall." This house also
has its original outbuildings,
including one of the oldest timber
barns in Virginia.

"Bracketts" is named for an
early owner of the land who sold it
to Major Watson of Ionia. It is
incorporated in a larger structure
built by the Watsons in the late
1850's, and overlooks a man-made
lake which for many years has been
a popular recreation spot for area
residents. Bracketts is also a wildlife
preserve, harbouring up to 600 wild
Canadian geese each winter.

"Hawkwood," a Virginia State
Landmark and one of the most
important romantic country houses
in America, is also listed on the
National Register of Historic Places,
and was the boyhood home of the
late Lieutenant Governor of
Virginia, J. Sargeant Reynolds. It
was designed by New York
architect Alexander Jackson Davis.